A significant Israeli missile strike aimed at Hezbollah militants in Lebanon resulted in the deaths of at least 247 individuals and left over 1,000 injured on Monday, September 23, marking a sharp escalation in the ongoing conflict.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) targeted 300 Hezbollah locations in response to increased attacks from the Iran-backed group against Israel. This assault was the first instance in this exchange of hostilities where the IDF issued a warning for residents in southern Lebanon to evacuate due to “extensive strikes.”
Hezbollah retaliated by launching a series of long-range missiles from Lebanon, a first for this conflict, according to the Israeli military.
The IDF stated that the airstrikes were specifically focused on dismantling Hezbollah’s rocket facilities after the group fired approximately 150 rockets, missiles, and drones at Israel the previous day.
Israel’s warning to Lebanese civilians urged those in buildings associated with Hezbollah weaponry to leave their villages until further notice, as reported by Lebanese media.
Reports of mass evacuations surfaced in areas targeted by the Israeli airstrikes, with AP journalists observing that some missiles traveled far beyond the immediate border regions.
One airstrike reportedly hit northeastern areas such as Baalbek and Hermel, resulting in the deaths of a shepherd and two relatives, according to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency.
Another missile struck a forested region in Byblos province, located about 81 miles north of the border, marking the first time in this conflict that an Israeli missile reached that area.
The Lebanese Health Ministry condemned the recent strikes, calling them a sign of Israel’s “expanding aggression on Lebanon.” Information Minister Ziad Makary described the evacuation warnings from Israel as a “psychological war” against the Lebanese populace.
IDF spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari defended the airstrikes, asserting that video footage showing secondary explosions provided evidence that Hezbollah weapons depots were hit.
“Every home we struck contained rockets, drones, and missiles intended to harm Israeli civilians,” Hagari stated.
The ongoing exchanges between the IDF and Hezbollah have displaced tens of thousands of people in northern Israel and southern Lebanon, with hostilities escalating in recent weeks. The conflict has resulted in the deaths of 22 IDF soldiers, 26 Israeli civilians, and 506 Hezbollah operatives, according to officials from both sides.
Tensions peaked after an incident last week where numerous electronic devices used by Hezbollah members exploded, an act attributed to Israeli forces.
